Major League Lacrosse: P.J. Kavanagh, Bill Wolford Tabbed as Assistants For Ohio Machine

The Ohio Machine, which begins its inaugural season as part of Major League Lacrosse in May 2012, announced P.J. Kavanagh and Bill Wolford as assistant coaches. Kavanagh and Wolford will assist Head Coach Ted Garber with selection and management of the Machine players who will play in the MLL’s 2012 season with fellow newcomers the Charlotte Hounds and the six returning teams.

“P.J. and Bill are fantastic coaches and bring a wide array of expertise to the Machine,” said President and General Manager John Algie. “We are thrilled to have them as part of the team for our inaugural season.”

Kavanagh joins the Machine with more than 15 years of coaching experience, including his current tenure at the University of Mount Union where he was recently named the first-ever varsity men’s lacrosse coach. Prior to Mount Union, Kavanagh spent seven seasons with SUNY-Plattsburgh in New York as an assistant coach and head coach. During his five seasons as head coach, Kavanagh posted a 47-34 mark including the three best seasons in team history. Kavanagh also served as an assistant coach for the Bridgeport barrage during the MLL’s inaugural season and has coached at two New England prep schools, as well as his prep alma mater of Henninger High School in Syracuse, NY.

Wolford, a Columbus, OH, native and a graduate of The Ohio State University, is currently director of Max Elite Lacrosse and co-director of the Max Elite 100 Lacrosse Camp, as well as assistant coach of the girl’s lacrosse team at Worthington Kilbourne High School. Wolford has coached boys’ and girls’ lacrosse for more than 20 years, including head coaching positions at Upper Arlington High School (1987-1991), Worthington Kilbourne High School (1992-2006) and for the 2003 Korean U-19 National Team. He has coached in three state championship games and has won more than 230 games as head coach.

"I’m happy to have P.J. Kavanagh and Bill Wolford as my assistant coaches for the Ohio Machine’s first season. They have both proven themselves to be outstanding and respected lacrosse coaches up to this point in their illustrious careers,” said Head Coach Ted Garber. “I know that their knowledge of the game, along with their tremendous leadership skills and their overall lacrosse expertise, will make them valuable members to the Machine organization."

Players for the 2012 inaugural season will be acquired first through the MLL Expansion Draft on December 7 followed by the MLL Supplemental Draft on December 14. The Machine holds the first overall pick in both drafts.